In endurance sport, consistency is everything, and Fatma Jassem Al Marri delivered in spades, securing a comfortable victory for SM Private Stables in the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival’s Private Stables competition.
Riding her 12-year-old Celebryta, Al Marri steadily climbed the leaderboard in the 120 km event before turning up the pace in the final loop to seal the win ahead of her rivals. She completed the four-loop ride in four hours, 14 minutes, and 50 seconds (4:14:50), averaging 28.25 kph.
Second place went to Ebraheim Ali Sabeel and Farzibus Cabirat of MAB Stables, who finished 32 seconds behind in 4:15:22. A distant third were Suhail Ali Al Ghailani and SW Kulmaalif of SS Private Stables, who were clocked at 4:19:12.
The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival is held in honour of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE and Crown Prince of Dubai.
The ride began with Abdulla Abdulaziz Al Tawash and Full Options Niellans (SS Endurance Stables) taking an early lead at the end of the first 40 km loop, while Al Marri started 16th. She surged up the leaderboard during the second 35 km loop, moving up five places to 11th as Al Tawash ceded the lead to teammate Saif Juma Al Beljafla on JM Jadjmili.
Al Marri’s momentum continued through the third loop of 25 km, where she climbed to sixth place while Beljafla maintained the summit. Entering the final 20 km loop, she was 5 minutes 37 seconds behind, knowing a bold push was needed to claim victory.
And push she did. Al Marri and Celebryta accelerated with a near 8 kph faster pace than the previous loop, storming to a stunning win and finishing 32 seconds clear of Sabeel and Farzibus Cabirat.
Ahmed Rashid Al Kaabi, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, presented the trophies to the victorious pair.
The Festival, which began on 23 March with the 120 km Ladies Ride won by Sara Hasan Ahmed (ABH Stables) on Wayward, resumed after inclement weather with the Al Yamamah Cup for Mares on 30 March, narrowly won by Hamdan Ahmad Al Mansoori aboard SW Jashfiya AA 50 for M7 Endurance Stables.
The action continues with the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup on Wednesday, April 1st.
Source: Khaleej Times